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MD/DE Scout Blog: Indian Creek at St. Paul's

April 14, 2022
Jamie Naill Jr
Maryland Scouting Director

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Wednesday night featured a pivotal game across the MIAA "B" Conference as Indian Creek made the trip to St. Paul's for a mid week matchup. Indian Creek came into the game pretty banged up, as they were without the services of their standout starting catcher in Nick Pratt and physical two-way in Anders Liimatainen, among a few others. St. Paul's came into the night in need of a win, coming off a loss to McDonough 4-3 in extra innings. 

Indian Creek came out of the gate red hot at the dish, putting up four runs in the first inning led by an Xavier Quigley two RBI single to the opposite field and an RBI single to right field by Matthew Hall. In the bottom of the first, St. Paul's answered right back, putting up a four spot of their own to tie the game at four a piece. Senior Braden Kletz had a clutch two out RBI double to right center field in the inning to tie the game at four. The score would remain until the bottom of the third, as Junior third baseman Alex Cromwell laced a two RBI single to right field to put the Crusaders on top 6-4. Later in the inning, Braden Kletz would strike again, notching an RBI sac fly to extend the lead to 7-4. In the bottom of the fourth, Wake Forest commit Cameron Nelson provided an insurance run with a no doubt solo homerun to right field to push the lead to 8-4. Indian Creek would squeak across a run in the fifth, but would come up short in the end as St. Paul's took the game 8-5.  

 

 

Indian Creek

 

Riley Handwerger SS / OF / Indian Creek, MD / 2024

The player who made one of, if not the biggest impression was the wiry Sophomore shortstop. Got it started early for Indian Creek, as he ambushed a first-pitch fastball to start the game and laced a standup double to dead center field. The approach is aggressive, staying within himself but showcasing the ability to drive the ball to the gaps and alleys. Hits with a more level bat path, creating some natural lift through contact with more line drive tendencies to the whole field. Defensively, the actions are smooth and fluid, showcasing excellent range side-to-side with soft hands and quick feet. The arm strength is average for now, but makes up for it with quick, clean actions and anticipation.

 

Christopher Kokoski OF / 2B / Indian Creek, MD / 2022

Hits from a balanced, quiet stance with a shorter stride and a quick back load. Utilizes an aggressive approach at the dish, showcasing a present ability to get the barrel to some tough pitches throughout the zone. The barrel stays level through contact with middle to pull side line drive tendencies. Finished the game 1-for-4 with a single and a run scored.

 

Xavier Quigley-Smith OF / RHP / Indian Creek, MD / 2024

Strung together a couple really nice at-bats throughout the game against St. Paul’s, going 1-for-2 with a walk and a big two RBI single through the 4-hole in the first inning to give Indian Creek the lead. Hits with an extended back load with nice weight transfer, synching in the hips well and showcasing some explosion in the hands through contact. Consistently lets the ball get deep, showcasing the ability to hit with authority to the opposite field.

 

 

St. Paul's

 

Alex Cromwell 3B / C / St. Paul's , MD / 2023

The long, lean 6-1 third baseman showcased plenty of strength at the dish in the game against Indian Creek, consistently finding the barrel and utilizing a strong whole field line drive approach. The ball explodes off the barrel, creating nice torque in the hips and lower half, staying behind the ball with strong, quick hands. The back load is smooth, incorporating excellent weight transfer with explosion in the upper body and hands. In his at-bat in the third inning, Cromwell just missed a homerun down the line in left field that went foul, but did not miss the next pitch as he laced an RBI single to right field.

 

Hayden Hair SS / RHP / St. Paul's, MD / 2023

The plate presence and aggressive whole field approach is what stood out in the game against Indian Creek for Hair. Showcases a knack for finding the barrel and extending at-bats, fouling off tough pitches consistently. The barrel gets through the zone quickly with nice separation in the hands, staying behind the ball well with solid balance throughout. The approach is sound, utilizing a strong gap-to-gap line drive approach with doubles power to the alleys. Finished the game 1-for-3 with a run scored.

 

Cameron Nelson OF / LHP / St. Paul's, MD / 2023

One of the premier athletes in the state, the Wake Forest commit continuously shows the ability to excel on both sides of the ball and make impact plays in all phases. The hands are explosive and quick at the dish, hitting from a balanced, slightly crouched stance with relaxed hands. Quick, rhythmic back load with a smaller leg kick stride, creating excellent separation in the hands and a strong gap-to-gap approach. The barrel awareness is evident, showcasing it well in the bottom of the fourth as he turned on an inside fastball and laced a solo homerun deep over the right field wall.

 

John Padousis C / 1B / St. Paul's, MD / 2022

The physical backstop and Stevenson commit showcased a strong, quick stroke at the dish in the game against Indian Creek, staying balanced and utilizing a strong middle of the field line drive approach. The hands stay inside the ball well, showcasing rhythm and fluid actions through contact. Also showed athletic actions behind the dish with a strong, accurate arm. Finished the game 1-for-2 with a walk.